Domosedan Gel 7.6 mg/ml Oromucosal Gel

Detomidine Hydrochloride

Last verified

Veterinary medicinal product: oromucosal gel. Distribution category: POM-V (Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3). Active substance: Detomidine Hydrochloride.1

In short: questions and answers

Does Domosedan Gel 7.6 mg/ml Oromucosal Gel need a prescription?
Prescription only. As stated in the registration decision.1
Which animals is Domosedan Gel 7.6 mg/ml Oromucosal Gel for?
Horses.1
What is the active substance in Domosedan Gel 7.6 mg/ml Oromucosal Gel?
Detomidine Hydrochloride. ATCvet code: QN05CM90.13
What is the withdrawal period of Domosedan Gel 7.6 mg/ml Oromucosal Gel according to the leaflet?
Horses, meat: 0 days; Horses, milk: 0 days.3
Dispensing
Prescription only1

POM-V: Prescription Only Medicine - Veterinarian. Supplied only on a prescription written by a veterinary surgeon who has assessed the animal.12

Supplied only on a veterinarian's prescription. As stated in the registration decision.

Animal species
Horses1
Active substance
Detomidine Hydrochloride
ATCvet code
QN05CM903
Manufacturer
Marketing authorisation holder: Orion Corporation

Withdrawal period

Animal speciesProductdays
Horsesmeat03
Horsesmilk03
Summary of product characteristics

Composition

Each ml contains:

Active substance:

Detomidine 6.4 mg

(equivalent to detomidine hydrochloride 7.6 mg)

Excipients:

Qualitative composition of excipients and other constituentsQuantitative composition if that information is essential for proper administration of the veterinary medicinal product
Brilliant Blue FCF (E133)0.032 mg
Hydroxypropylcellulose
Propylene glycol
Sodium laurilsulfate
Sodium hydroxide (for pH adjustment)
Hydrochloric acid, dilute (for pH adjustment)
Purified water

Even, translucent, blue gel.

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Pharmacological properties

4.1 ATCvet code: QN05 CM90

4.2 Pharmacodynamics

The active substance of the veterinary medicinal product is detomidine. Its chemical structure is 4-(2,3-dimethylbenzyl) imidazole hydrochloride. Detomidine is an alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist with a central effect inhibiting the transmission of noradrenalin-mediated nervous impulses. In the animal, the level of consciousness is lowered and the pain threshold is increased. The duration and level of sedation are dose dependent. In the studies conducted with the recommended 40µg/kg dose of the gel, the time to onset of sedation has been approximately 30-40 min and the duration of sedation 2 to 3 hours. With detomidine administration, heart rate is decreased. A transient change in the conductivity of the cardiac muscle may occur, as evidenced by partial atrioventicular and sinoauricular blocks. Respiratory rate is slightly decreased. In some horses, sweating, salivation and slight muscle tremors may be seen. Partial, transient penis prolapse may occur in stallions and geldings. Blood glucose concentration may be temporally increased.

4.3 Pharmacokinetics

At a dose of 40 µg/kg of the veterinary medicinal product, the mean Cmax was 4.3 ng/ml and mean tmax was 1.83 hours (range from 1 to 3 hours). Following sublingual administration, clinical signs of sedation were evident at approximately 30 minutes after dosing.

The bioavailability of detomidine administered as the sublingual gel in the horse is about 22%. If the veterinary medicinal product is swallowed the bioavailability is significantly decreased.

Elimination of detomidine occurs by metabolism with a half-life of about 1.25 hours. Metabolites of the drug are eliminated mainly in the urine.

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Target species

Horses.

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Indications

Sedation to facilitate restraint for non-invasive veterinary procedures (e.g. passage of naso-gastric tube, radiography, rasping teeth) and minor husbandry procedures (e.g. clipping, shoeing).

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Dosage

Sublingual use.

The veterinary medicinal product is administered sublingually at 40µg/kg. The dosing syringe delivers the veterinary medicinal product in 0.25 ml increments. The following dosing table provides the dose volume to be administered for the corresponding body weight in 0.25ml increments.

Approximate body weight (kg)Dose volume (ml)
150 - 1991.00
200 - 2491.25
250 - 2991.50
300 - 3491.75
350 - 3992.00
400 - 4492.25
450 - 4992.50
500 - 5492.75
550 - 6003.00

Instructions for dosing:

Apply impermeable gloves and remove the syringe from the outer carton. While holding the plunger, turn the ring-stop on the plunger until the ring is able to slide freely up and down the plunger. Position the ring in such a way that the side nearest the barrel is at the desired volume marking. Turn the ring to secure it in place.

Make sure that the horse’s mouth contains no feed. Remove the cap from the tip of the syringe and save for cap replacement. Insert the syringe tip into the horse’s mouth from the side of the mouth, placing the syringe tip beneath the tongue at the level of the corner of the mouth. Depress the plunger until the ring-stop contacts the barrel, depositing the veterinary medicinal product under the tongue.

Take the syringe out of the horse’s mouth, recap the syringe and return it to the outer carton for disposal. Remove and discard gloves or wash them in copious quantities of running water.

Should there be a substantial misdosing or swallowing of the veterinary medicinal product (e.g. the horse spits out or swallows more than an estimated 25% of administered dose), immediate replacement dosing of the lost portion should be attempted with care to avoid accidental overdosing. For animals in which the administered dose results in inadequate duration of sedation to complete the intended procedure, re-administration of the veterinary medicinal product during the procedure may not be practical since transmucosal absorption is too slow to top-up the sedation. In such cases, a lip twitch may facilitate restraint. Alternatively, a veterinarian can administer additional injectable sedatives according to their clinical discretion.

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Contraindications

Do not use in seriously ill animals with heart failure or impaired liver or kidney function.

Do not use in conjunction with intravenous potentiated sulphonamides.

Do not use in case of hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.

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Adverse reactions

Horses:

FrequencyAdverse events
Very common (>1 animal / 10 animals treated):Ataxia
Common (1 to 10 animals / 100 animals treated):Heart block1, Hypersalivation, Nasal discharge4, Increased urination5, Penile prolapse6, Increased sweating, Piloerection
Uncommon (1 to 10 animals / 1 000 animals treated):Epiphora, Flatulence, Tongue oedema, Allergic oedema, Oedema2,3, Muscle tremor
Rare (1 to 10 animals / 10 000 animals treated):Colic7
Very rare (<1 animal / 10 000 animals treated, including isolated reports):Application site erythema8, Bradycardia, Hypersensitivity reaction, Hyperventilation, Respiratory depression, Excitation, Pale mucous membrane

1resulting from changes in the conductivity of cardiac muscle

2due to continued lowering of the head during sedation

3of head and face

4due to continued lowering of the head during sedation

5may be observed 2 to 4 hours after treatment

6partial, transient, in stallions and geldings

7mild, due to inhibition of intestinal motility.

8transient

Reporting adverse events is important. It allows continuous safety monitoring of a veterinary medicinal product. Reports should be sent, preferably via a veterinarian, to either the marketing authorisation holder or the national competent authority via the national reporting system. See the package leaflet for respective contact details.

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Warnings

Special precautions for safe use in the target species:

Horses approaching or in endotoxic or traumatic shock, or horses suffering from cardiac diseases, advanced lung disease, or fever should only be treated according to the benefit risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian. Protect treated horses from extreme temperatures. Some horses, although apparently deeply sedated, may still respond to external stimuli.

Food and water should be withheld until the sedative effect of the veterinary medicinal product has worn off.

Special precautions to be taken by the person administering the veterinary medicinal product to animals:

Detomidine is an alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist, which may cause sedation, somnolence, decreased blood pressure and decreased heart rate in humans.

Veterinary medicinal product residues may be present on the barrel and plunger of the oral dosage syringe, or on the lips of horses, after sublingual administration.

The veterinary medicinal product may cause local skin irritation following prolonged skin contact. Avoid contact with mucosal membranes and skin. Personal protective equipment consisting of impermeable gloves should be worn to prevent skin contact. As the syringe may be smeared with the veterinary medicinal product after application, the syringe should be carefully re-capped and returned into the outer carton for disposal. In the case of exposure, wash exposed skin and/or mucous membranes immediately and thoroughly.

Avoid contact with eyes and in the event of accidental contact, rinse abundantly with fresh water. If symptoms occur, seek advice of a physician.

Pregnant women should avoid contact with the veterinary medicinal product. Uterine contractions and decreased foetal blood pressure may occur after systemic exposure to detomidine.

In case of accidental oral intake or prolonged mucosal contact, seek medical advice and show the package insert to the physician but DO NOT DRIVE as sedation and changes in blood pressure may occur.

To the physician:

Detomidine is an alpha-2 adrenoceptor agonist intended for animal use only. Symptoms reported after accidental human exposure have included drowsiness, hypotension, hypertension, bradycardia, tingling sensation, numbness, pain, headache, somnolence, dilated pupils, and vomiting. Treatment should be supportive with appropriate intensive therapy.

Special precautions for the protection of the environment:

Not applicable

Other precautions:

The syringe may be used only once. Partially used syringes must be discarded.

3.11 Special restrictions for use and special conditions for use, including restrictions on the use of antimicrobial and antiparasitic veterinary medicinal products in order to limit the risk of development of resistance

Not applicable

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Use during pregnancy, lactation or lay

Pregnancy:

Use only accordingly to the benefit/risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian. Laboratory studies in rats and rabbits have not produced any evidence of teratogenic, foetotoxic or maternotoxic effects.

Lactation:

Detomidine is excreted in trace amounts into the milk. Use according to the benefit/risk assessment by the responsible veterinarian.

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Interactions

Detomidine potentiates the effect of other sedatives and anaesthetics. Intravenous potentiated sulphonamides should not be used in anaesthetized or sedated animals as potentially fatal dysrhythmias may occur.

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Overdose

Overdosage is mainly manifested by delayed recovery from sedation. If recovery is delayed, it should be ensured that the animal can recover in a quiet and warm place.

The effects of detomidine can be eliminated using a specific antidote, atipamezole, an alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist.

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Special warnings

Unlike most other oral veterinary medicinal products, this veterinary medicinal product is not meant to be swallowed. Instead, it must be placed under the tongue of the horse. When the veterinary medicinal product is administered, the animal should be allowed to rest in a quiet place. Before any procedure is initiated, sedation should be allowed to fully develop (approximately 30 min).

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Withdrawal period

Meat and offal: Zero days Milk: Zero hours

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Incompatibilities

In the absence of compatibility studies, this veterinary medicinal product must not be mixed with other veterinary medicinal products.

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Immediate packaging

Pre-filled, single-dose syringe enabling doses from 1.0 to 3.0 ml are packed in an outer carton. Pre-filled syringes consist of a syringe barrel (HDPE), cap (LDPE), plunger (HDPE) and locking ring.

Package sizes: 1 x 3.0 ml (1 syringe per carton)

Not all pack sizes may be marketed

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Storage

Keep the syringe in the outer carton in order to protect from light. The syringe may be used only once. Partly used syringes must be discarded.

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Shelf life

Shelf life of the veterinary medicinal product as packaged for sale: 3 years.

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Disposal of unused product

Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste.

Use take-back schemes for the disposal of any unused veterinary medicinal product or waste materials derived thereof in accordance with local requirements and with any national collection systems applicable to the veterinary medicinal product concerned.

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Additional information

Vm 06043/4001

8 DATE OF FIRST AUTHORISATION

06 February 2009

9 DATE OF THE LAST REVISION OF THE SUMMARY OF THE PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICS

April 2025

10 CLASSIFICATION OF VETERINARY MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Veterinary medicinal product subject to prescription.

Find more product information by searching for the ‘Product Information Database’ on www.gov.uk

Approved: 01 August 2025

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Registration holder

Orion Corporation

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Regulations

Sources

  1. VMD Product Information Database: Domosedan Gel 7.6 mg/ml Oromucosal Gel, 06043/4001 UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (OGL v3.0), checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04
  2. The Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013, Schedule 3 (categories of veterinary medicinal products) UK Government, legislation.gov.uk, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04
  3. Summary of Product Characteristics: Domosedan Gel 7.6 mg/ml Oromucosal Gel UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate, SPC of the marketing authorisation holder, checked 2026-10-04 archived copy from 2026-10-04

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